I Can't Stop

Part 8

Minutes were left, before Fleetwood Mac had to go out on stage. It was dark and the excited, awaiting crowd could be heard loudly, some were shouting, some were clapping, some had already started singing their favorite songs. It didn't matter that they had been doing it for years and years, Stevie still got nervous right before appearing in front of the public. Normally, she'd been holding hands with Lindsey, waiting for their cue. He was standing beside her, both his hands firmly gripping his guitar.

Without really thinking about it, Stevie blindly searched for Lindsey's hand, slipping her fingers through his, which almost made him jump a little. That wasn't the reaction Stevie expected from him, especially after the past two months or so they'd spent together. 

"What's wrong?" Stevie leaned in to whisper.

"Nothing, everything's fine." Lindsey forced a smile, glancing at her before turning to stare straight ahead again.

Stevie could tell that something was definitely going on, Lindsey had seemed nervous since they first saw each other at soundcheck. He didn't really speak to her or anyone else for that matter. Stevie's best guess was, Lindsey had talked to Kristen. Maybe they had an argument or not at all and he simply started feeling guilty.

Despite Lindsey's odd behavior, the show went without a hitch. The fans were left ecstatic and the band - satisfied with yet another great performance. Unfortunately, when Stevie got off stage, Lindsey was already gone and she couldn't catch up with him. Why the hell was he avoiding her? 

With Karen by her side, Stevie made her way into her dressing room to change and head out. It was her birthday and Mick had planned a small gathering. There wasn't a lot of time for Stevie to get back to the hotel and she had to hurry. However, when she entered her dressing room, she found Lindsey there waiting for her.

"Have you come here to explain yourself?" Stevie asked and Karen knew it was time for her to leave the two alone.

"Yeah." Lindsey nodded. "I'm sorry, I just..."

"What happened? I thought we were finally learning how to talk to each other?" Stevie knew she was being irrational, standing with her arms cross, but she didn't appreciate the sudden change in his behavior.

Slowly walking towards her, Lindsey uncrossed her arms and laced his fingers through hers. "I sort of have set something up for us tonight, to celebrate your birthday." He added. "Then I started thinking that maybe it's a bit much, maybe it's too much like a date and I got nervous."

"You have?" Stevie softened immediately, a smile crossed her lips. "But what about Mick's dinner?"

"We can go to that, but I've got more for you later on. If you want any of it, of course."

Letting go of his hands, she cupped his face and gave him a kiss. Wiping off her lipstick, she said. "You're so sweet. And pretty cute, when you're all nervous."

Pulling her into his arms, Lindsey pressed a kiss to her hair. "Forgiven?"

"Absolutely." Stevie nodded, her arms wrapped around his neck. "We'll join everyone for a while and then we can do whatever it is that you've planned."

"I'd like that." Holding her at arm's length Lindsey smiled, finally relieved.

The dressing room door opened and Stevie assumed Karen was going to come through, what she didn't expect was to see Don, a huge bouquet of roses in his hands. Lindsey felt a sting as he pulled away from Stevie, an apologetic look on her face.

"Don, what- what are you doing here?" Stevie asked, her eyes quickly leaving her husband and focusing on Lindsey, who gave a nod of acknowledgement to Don on his way out.

"Surprise!" Don said, a goofy grin on his face. "Happy birthday, baby." He put on a show, giving her a kiss, making her bend backwards a little. "These are for you."

Taking the flowers, Stevie just smiled, hoping Don didn't notice her trembling lip and the tears that glazed over her eyes.